NHL

Vigneault's softer tone replaces Tortorella's bark

NEW YORK (AP)

The message from the New York Rangers bench might not be any
different than in years past. The tone in which it is delivered
most likely will be.

Whether the softer approach new coach Alain Vigneault offers in
comparison to the barking tones of deposed bench boss John
Tortorella is what the Rangers need remains to be seen.

Despite getting the club to the Eastern Conference semifinals
last season, Tortorella was somewhat surprisingly let go by general
manager Glen Sather and replaced by the gentler-on-the-outside
Vigneault, who was dismissed as coach of the Canucks after
Vancouver was swept in the first round of the playoffs by San
Jose.

In an added twist, Tortorella got Vigneault's old job in
Vancouver, while Vigneault took over for him in New York.

Quite a trade indeed.

''I believe the New York Rangers have been doing a lot of the
right things for a lot of years,'' Vigneault said. ''This is an
Original Six team. This is a great franchise. There are some things
I prefer done a certain way, and I'm going to tell the players. But
as far as this being a drastic change, this organization is one of
the best in the league.

''There are little things here and there that need to be pushed
in a certain direction. The atmosphere, the environment that I want
to create - a professional, positive environment. I want the
players to feel good about coming to the rink and trying to get
better every day.''

Vigneault is the winningest coach in Canucks history, but after
a seven-year run it was determined a different voice was needed in
Vancouver - perhaps a harsher one than the one the more
user-friendly Vigneault provided.

Tortorella lasted only 4 1/2 seasons before his time with the
Rangers ran out.

Sather was quick to assert at Vigneault's introductory news
conference that the Rangers needed a change in style. He spoke
specifically about Tortorella's strong focus on defense and
blocking shots - a philosophy that often led to New York's players
being consistently banged up.

Vigneault was given a five-year deal to lead the Rangers, edging
out other candidates such as Mark Messier and longtime former
Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who landed with the Dallas
Stars.

In 11 seasons as an NHL head coach with Montreal and Vancouver,
the 52-year-old Vigneault is 422-288-35-61 in 806 games.

''The style of play we like to play is outnumber the opposition
aggressively so we can recover the puck, set the tone and go on the
attack,'' Vigneault said. ''As our players understand the different
principles we're trying to put in place, then I think people will
be able to pick up (the system).''

The Rangers open at Phoenix on Oct. 3.

Here are five things to keep an eye on with the Rangers this
season:

ROAD TRIP: Before the Rangers get into the thick of the new-look
Eastern Conference, they will get a healthy dose of Western
opponents as they open with a nine-game, 23-day road trip
necessitated by extensive renovations at Madison Square Garden. New
York will play at Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Jose, Anaheim and St.
Louis before traveling to face Eastern foes Washington, New Jersey,
Philadelphia and Detroit, which has been transferred from the West
to the East. If New York can get off to a good start before finally
playing at home on Oct. 28 against Montreal, it could bode well
later in the season.

STEPAN'S ABSENCE: The Rangers are dealing with the absence of
restricted free agent center Derek Stepan, who remains unsigned
deep into training camp. The sides are believed to be about
$600,000 apart on a two-year deal. Stepan is thought to be looking
to get $7 million as the Rangers are holding to a $6.4 million
offer. It is unknown if Stepan, who could be the club's top center,
will be signed before opening night. He will have to sign by Dec. 1
to be eligible to play.

NASH AND RICHARDS: Brad Richards is still with the Rangers after
his poorest NHL season. He avoided having his contract bought out,
but he will need to show the kind of offense he featured during his
glory days with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nash had 21 goals and 21
assists in his lockout-shortened first season in New York. He
struggled with a wrist injury and had only one postseason goal.

INJURIES: The Rangers hope to have key forwards captain Ryan
Callahan and Carl Hagelin back on the ice soon after both underwent
shoulder surgery. They might not be cleared for contact before the
season opener. However, leading defenseman Marc Staal said he feels
good as he continues to come back from a serious eye injury.

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